The Hazardous Waste Management Program (Program) in King County seeks to hire a Racial Equity Planner (Project/Program Manager II) to join the Program’s Racial Equity team. Considered a national leader, the Program protects and enhances public health and environmental quality in King County by helping residents and businesses reduce the threat posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

We are seeking a skilled, highly adaptable and collaborative Planner with a strong racial equity lens and interpersonal skills to be a key member of the Program’s Racial Equity Team. This team provides leadership in the implementation of the Racial Equity Strategic Plan, and strategic guidance and support to the Program in achieving its racial equity vision.

This position reports to the Program’s Racial Equity Manager and supports key functions in planning and delivery of key strategies to address racial disparities in hazardous material exposures, and advance racial equity priorities that will ultimately improve public health and environmental outcomes for residents and businesses across King County.

About The Program:
The Program is comprised of Seattle, King County, 38 other cities, and two tribes. The Program is committed to racial equity and social justice in practice and by policy. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our work force and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive work environment. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, people who are LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.

The Program’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan is available here (.PDF): https://kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/en/initiatives/-/media/BEF6AE8C176041F6BB184244A3D86EE6

For more information on the Program, visit https://kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/.

Who is Eligible: This position is open to the general public.  First consideration will be given to King County, Council 2, Local 1652R bargaining unit members.

Permanent Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a permanent basis. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

To support employees during this time, King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Work Location: Primarily teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104.

Work Schedule: This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. This full-time position works a 40-hour work week.

Job Duties

Advance Racial Equity Goals

• Assist the Racial Equity Manager in the implementation of the Program’s Racial Equity Strategic Plan.
• With guidance from the Racial Equity Manager, assist in the development of recommendations, performance metrics, policies, and processes that advance the Program’s Racial Equity priorities and goals.
• With guidance from the Racial Equity Manager, provide leadership in the development and implementation of strategies and tools to structurally embed race and social justice policies and practices across the Program.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships and collaborations within King County, the City of Seattle, as well as local, regional, and national initiatives to ensure alignment of the Program efforts.
• Assist the Racial Equity Manager in providing guidance to promote a community-centered organization that partners with communities for inclusive outreach and engagement.

Program/Project Management

• Assist the Racial Equity Manager in applying the program’s Project Management Plan (PMP) toolkit and racial equity tools for project specific work plan development and implementation.
• Assist in the development and management of the Racial Equity annual work plans.
• As assigned by the Racial Equity Manager, develop, negotiate, and manage contracts.
• Provide support and leadership guidance to the Racial Equity Manager in the development and implementation of the Program’s Community Partnership model.
• Provide guidance and support for program teams to strengthen alignment, collaboration and coordination between projects.
• Assist in the development and management of racial equity toolkits and resources to support the Program and teams in embedding racial equity.
• Assist in developing and writing of reports, presentations and program materials.
• Lead and facilitate work groups and teams to advance racial equity priorities.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Required Qualifications:

• Three years of professional or personal background in direct anti-racism work.
• Basic knowledge of the social construct of race.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of inclusive outreach and engagement best practices.
• Ability to put relationships first in working to build community and trust.
• Ability to engage and facilitate conversations on race, behavior change and reconciliation.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing partnerships with governmental organizations, tribes, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), or non-profit foundations.
• Basic knowledge and experience in developing work plans.
• Experience in planning and/or presenting trainings, workshops and panels.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledgeable in SharePoint, Word, Excel, Outlook and/or emerging tools to manage and deliver work priorities.

The Most Competitive Candidates May Also Have:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and/or experience in public policy, equity and social justice, public administration, strategic management or related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability to perform the job duties.
• Three or more years of experience in strategic planning and service delivery gained in public sector organization(s).
• Demonstrated experience in providing consultation and mentoring to program teams and projects.

Supplemental Information

Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
• Responses to supplemental questions

Union Representation: Positions in this classification will be represented by Council 2, Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Local 1652R.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Deena Prasad, Senior Human Resources Analyst
deprasad@kingcounty.gov
206-263-0101

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.